Hendon produced a very disappointing Ryman League Premier Division performance as they deservedly lost to Hastings United at Pilot Field on Saturday. The Greens are rapidly becoming a schizophrenic team, as good one match as they are awful the next.

With Jamie Busby and James Bent both injured, it meant a midfield recall for James Burgess, his first start in almost a month and his rust was quickly exposed. In addition, Yacine Hamada was named on the bench with Lubomir Guentchev getting the start.

The first half was, in truth, a pretty dire affair, not helped by a succession of free-kicks which disrupted what little play there was. Burgess was maybe fortunate not to be cautioned in the sixth minute for a clumsy challenge that was badly mistimed rather than malicious.

It should also be said that it was the first foul of the match which may also explained the referee's leniency. However, the next dozen or so minutes so a similar number of fouls committed, all inside the Hendon half, and two of which were wasted by Hastings around the edge of the Hendon penalty area.

Hendon's problems were all across the pitch: Glenn Garner was completely isolated up front; Peter Dean, playing behind him, had to drop too deep to link up with his strike partner; Guentchev and Wayne O'Sullivan, on the left and right wings, respectively, barely saw the ball; in central midfield Burgess and Kevin Maclaren disrupted Hastings going forward, but their passing let them down; and the defence was not only overworked, but also guilty of wasting possession when they won it; even Reading was guilty of poor distribution.

The first effort of note was a 25-yard drive from Lee Carey, but James Reading got his body behind the shot, which was directly at him. After 15 minutes, a through ball released Sam Adams, but Reading was again able to make a good stop.

Hendon's first chance, albeit barely even a half-chance, went to Peter Dean, who tried to curl a right-foot shot with his outstep rather than drive through it with his left. The ball bounced tamely wide.

After 38 minutes, Liam Upton made a powerful run from midfield and unleashed a strike which beat Reading, but cleared the crossbar by about a foot. The Greens, in the unfamiliar colours of white and blue, had their first effort on target just before half-time, a shot by Guentchev which went straight at Greg Nessling.

When the half-time whistle went, it was Hendon who were the happier to hear it, because they had barely been in the contest and were level at half-time mainly because Hastings had lacked the confidence to take on the defence.

The second half was better than the first, especially in the final quarter, when the incessant whistling for free-kicks was reduced. Hendon, who moved O'Sullivan into a more forward role with Dean playing a little deeper, also were much better, but as manager Gary McCann said after the game, "We couldn't have been any worse than we were in the first half."

Hendon did have a couple of half-chances, but Rhys Whyborne and Nathan Russell were excellent at the heart of the Us defence. If the Greens were on top in the first 20 minutes of the half, it was not by much. Nonetheless, when they conceded the opening goal, it was against the run of play.

It was also a very frustrating goal for the visitors' bench as they watched Mark Kirby get turned far too easily by Ade Olorunda, the centre-half trying to steal the ball from the striker, rather than making a tackle.

Olorunda, having got around the back of Kirby, set off for goal. Craig Vargas was downfield James Parker came across to cover, but was helpless as the striker drove a superb shot just inside the far post. From an attacking point of view it was a brilliant piece of play; defensively, Hendon wondered why he had been given the chance in the first place.

Buoyed by the goal Hastings began to play with some confidence. But Hendon at least showed some resilience and forced a couple of corners. In the 69th minute, from one of these corners, Garner leapt for the ball with Nessling and received a fearsome punch on the side of the head.

He was knocked almost senseless, while the goalkeeper received treatment for an injured wrist or hand. The absurdity of football's law that demands an injured player to go to the touchline was brought into stark view as Garner - who was probably too groggy to resume immediately anyway - walked to the touchline but Nessling, the goalkeeper stayed on the pitch.

It would be an exaggeration to say that Hendon took control of the game, because Hastings continued to look capable going forward, even after the goalscoring Olorunda was taken off. And it was on the break that Hastings sealed the points in the 88th minute.

A right wing cross from Steve Elliot was headed clear by Parker. Neither Dave Diedhiou, nor Kevin or Casey Maclaren was anywhere near Lee Carey when the ball fell to him and his well-placed firm strike ended up in the bottom corner.

More injuries meant that the referee ruled there would be a minimum of six minutes of added time, but that was immediately extended as Adams required treatment.

The game had moved into the eighth minute of stoppage time when Hendon pulled a goal back. It was a magnificent solo effort from Hamada, dancing between Whyborne, Josh Jirbandey and Russell, before a clever dink over Nessling propelled the ball into the net.

There was barely time to kick off, but Hastings seemed more relieved than happy to win a game they should have completely dominated.

McCann was furious after the game, saying, "We were rubbish and you can write it as large as you like.

"The players have let me down, let the Club down and, most importantly, let themselves down. I am far from pleased.

"Once again, a defensive mistake, followed by a bit of brilliance, cost us, although I did think the goal was a little against the run of play. I thought we got what we deserved - nowt. You might just be able to get away with a game if you have two or three players having a bad game - we had nine or ten.

"The only positive I can take from the game was Yacine's goal."